Patent EP0661649A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3893554A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Torque limiting clutch
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-06-07
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Granted: 1975-07-08
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Expires: 1994-06-07
Abstract
Abstract In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a one piece coil clutch which will slip at a predetermined torque and while slipping will transmit that torque from one axially aligned shaft to another. The torque remains constant from initial slippage through continuous slippage thereby preventing the sharp jerk which is usually characteristic of friction type clutches.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas D Wason
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:16
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D7/00; F16D7/02; F16D7/022; F16D41/00; F16D41/20; F16D41/206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A torque limiting device comprising: a first shaft; a second shaft juxtaposed to and in general axial alignment with said first shaft; a clutch means including a coil portion encircling said first shaft in gripping contact therewith; a second coil portion continuous with said first portion and encircling said first shaft, said second portion having an interior diameter greater than the diameter of the said encircled shaft; means extending from said second coil into drive contact with said second shaft; means extending from said first coil in normally spaced relation to said means extending from said second coil in such a position that, under torsion, said arms travel in a path so that they operatively contact each other when under predetermined torque whereby said second extending means, under predetermined load, will move against and exert pressure on said first extending means thereby at least partially unwinding the same to at least partially release the gripping pressure of said first coil on said first shaft thereby allowing rotational slippage between said first and second shafts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A torque limiting device comprising: a first shaft; a second shaft juxtaposed to and in general axial alignment with said first shaft; a clutch means including a coil portion encircling said first shaft in gripping contact therewith; a second coil portion continuous with said first portion and encircling said first shaft, said second portion having an interior diameter greater than the diameter of the said encircled shaft; means extending from said second coil into drive contact with said second shaft; means extending from said first coil in normally spaced relation to said means extending from said second coil in such a position that, under torsion, said arms travel in a path so that they operatively contact each other when under predetermined torque whereby said second extending means, under predetermined load, will move against and exert pressure on said first extending means thereby at least partially unwinding the same to at least partially release the gripping pressure of said first coil on said first shaft thereby allowing rotational slippage between said first and second shafts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first shaft passes through said second shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the drive contact between the means extending from said second coil and said second shaft is a drive pin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the clutch means is formed from a single piece of spring steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
140 words
A torque limiting device comprising: a first shaft; a second shaft juxtaposed to said first shaft and in general axial alignment therewith; clutch means including at least two coil portions, at least one each encircling, in normal gripping contact, a portion of each shaft; an enlarged coil portion attached on either side to said shaft coils and having an interior diameter normally greater than said shafts whereby no gripping effect is exerted thereon; arm means extending outwardly from the ends of each of said shaft coils farthest from said enlarged coil, said arms being so disposed that, when excessive torque is applied to said shafts, said arms will travel in such a path relative to each other that contact will be made therebetween thereby causing at least partial unwinding of said shaft coils to allow lessening of their gripping effect.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
A torque limiting device comprising: a first shaft; a second shaft juxtaposed to said first shaft and in general axial alignment therewith; clutch means including at least two coil portions, at least one each encircling, in normal gripping contact, a portion of each shaft; an enlarged coil portion attached on either side to said shaft coils and having an interior diameter normally greater than said shafts whereby no gripping effect is exerted thereon; arm means extending outwardly from the ends of each of said shaft coils farthest from said enlarged coil, said arms being so disposed that, when excessive torque is applied to said shafts, said arms will travel in such a path relative to each other that contact will be made therebetween thereby causing at least partial unwinding of said shaft coils to allow lessening of their gripping effect.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 5 wherein means are provided for controlling the alignment of said shafts one relative to the other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the controlling means is a guide nipple on the end of one shaft and a guide socket on the end of the other shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 5 wherein a loop is provided on the opposite side of each of said gripping coils opposite that coil''s respective arm whereby a rotatively balanced clutch is provided.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-07 | 1979-01-06 | 1979-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-07 | 1983-01-06 | 1983-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-07 | 1987-01-06 | 1987-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |